60dibbleSen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, was one of 300 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender leaders invited to a reception with President Obama on Monday. The reception, largely seen as an attempt to quell growing LGBT criticism of the Obama administration, marked the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots.

Dibble brought with him several letters to give to Obama, in particular, urging him to end the military’s ban on openly gay and lesbian servicemembers.

“We’re just waiting for policies to catch up. For all of its work and patience, the GLBT community has seen almost no real change in federal policies in the last 20 years,” Dibble said in a letter titled “Report from the Heartland,” which spoke of the unique needs of Midwestern LGBT communities.

“Mr. President, you have spoken eloquently and movingly about the high ideals of freedom and opportunity — how we all have a claim on the American dream,” he wrote. “I invite you to gain an appreciation of where stand at this time, to understand the urgency of action, to know that the country is with you looking for that promise of hope, change, and possibility.”

On the issue of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Dibble asked Obama to end the ban and to reinstate those who have been discharged from the military because they are gay or lesbian. “Many talented individuals are being fired for no good reason” under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, he said.

Dibble said the reception was a good opportunity for the LGBT community to tell the president their concerns.

“This was a unique opportunity to remember those who began fighting for equal rights so many years ago, and respect the work that has been done since that time,” Dibble said. “It also was an opportunity for members of the LGBT community to speak with President Obama about how much work is yet to be done, and how we would like to work together to ensure equal rights for everyone in our country.”